The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Yan Chai Hospital gave the following update today (September 2):
 
     Following contact tracing, an 87-year-old male patient in a medical ward was also identified as a carrier of Candida auris while not having signs of infection. The patient is now being treated in isolation and is in stable condition.
 
     The hospital will continue the contact tracing of close contacts of the patient in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:

1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhance hand hygiene of staff and patients.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     â€‹Mainly attributable to the rainfall associated with the tropical cyclone activity over the northern part of the South China Sea, August 2022 was wetter than usual, with the monthly rainfall being 614.8 millimetres, about 36 per cent more than the normal figure of 453.2mm. The accumulated rainfall recorded in the first eight months of the year was 1 827.8mm, about 5 percent below the normal figure of 1 921.5mm for the same period. The monthly mean temperature of 28.8 degrees was near the normal figure of 28.7 degrees. Owing to the record-breaking high temperature weather in July 2022, the summer of this year from June to August was much hotter than usual. The mean temperature of 29.2 degrees was one of the fourth highest on record for the same period.
      
     Under the influence of an anticyclone aloft, the weather of Hong Kong was fine and very hot on the first day of the month. With plenty of sunshine, the maximum temperature at the Observatory soared to 35.7 degrees in the afternoon, the highest of the month. While it was mainly fine and very hot during the day on August 2, convective activities triggered by high temperatures brought thundery showers to the territory in the evening. Meanwhile, an area of low pressure over the northeastern part of the South China Sea developed into a tropical depression on the night of August 3. It moved generally west-northwestwards towards the east of the Pearl River Estuary. The tropical depression made landfall over the coast of Huidong and weakened into an area of low pressure over inland Guangdong on the afternoon of August 4. Affected by the tropical depression and its remnant low pressure area, local weather was mainly cloudy with occasional heavy showers and squally thunderstorms from August 3 to 5. More than 100mm of rainfall were generally recorded over Hong Kong on these three days, and rainfall even exceeded 200mm over the eastern part of the territory. Under the rain, the temperature at the Observatory dropped to 24.5 degrees on August 5, the lowest of the month.
      
     With the strengthening of the anticyclone aloft, showers abated gradually with sunny intervals on August 6. Apart from isolated showers and squally thunderstorms, the weather was generally fine the next day. Affected by an area of low pressure over the central part of the South China Sea, local weather turned mainly cloudy with occasional showers and squally thunderstorms on August 8. The area of low pressure developed gradually into a tropical depression on the early morning of August 9 and was later named Mulan. It moved generally northwards and intensified into a tropical storm during daytime that day. It turned to move northwestwards afterwards. After skirting past the northeastern part of Hainan Island and southern tip of Leizhou Peninsula, Mulan entered Beibu Wan on the night of August 10. It made landfall over the northern part of Vietnam and weakened into an area of low pressure inland on August 11. Affected by Mulan, it was windy in Hong Kong on August 9 and 10. The outer rainbands of Mulan also brought occasional heavy showers, violent gusts and thunderstorms to the territory on these two days. More than 100mm of rainfall were generally recorded over Hong Kong from August 9 to 10, and the rainfall even exceeded 200mm over parts of Lantau Island.
      
     Under the influence of a broad trough of low pressure, local weather remained mainly cloudy with showers and a few squally thunderstorms on August 11 and 12. The showers were heavier on the morning of August 12. More than 50mm of rainfall were generally recorded over the territory and rainfall even exceeded 70mm over parts of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the northeastern part of the New Territories. Affected by an anticyclone aloft, there were sunny periods, isolated showers and thunderstorms on August 13. Apart from a few isolated showers, the weather turned generally fine and very hot on August 14 and 15. 
      
     Affected by an area of low pressure over the northeastern part of the South China Sea and the subsequent broad trough of low pressure, the weather of Hong Kong was a mixture of sunshine, showers and thunderstorms from August 16 to 20. Showers were heavier on August 17 with more than 70mm of rainfall recorded over parts of the New Territories. With an anticyclone aloft gradually covering southeastern China, local weather became mainly fine and very hot during the day on August 21 and remained so during the following two days.
      
     Meanwhile, the area of low pressure over the seas east of Luzon developed into a tropical depression on August 21 and was later named Ma-on. It gradually intensified into a severe tropical storm on the morning of August 23 and moved across the northern part of Luzon. Ma-on entered the northeastern part of the South China Sea on that night and tracked generally northwestwards across the South China Sea towards the coast of western Guangdong on August 24. It made landfall near Maoming and then weakened into a tropical storm the next morning. Ma-on moved across Guangdong and Guangxi, and weakened into an area of low pressure over Indochina Peninsula on August 26. 
      
     Under the influence of the subsiding air ahead of Ma-on, the weather of Hong Kong was mainly fine and very hot at first on August 24. With Ma-on edging closer, the weather became cloudy with winds strengthening significantly later that day. The Observatory issued the second No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal this year on that night. Strong to gale force winds generally affected the territory on the night of August 24 and at first on August 25, with occasional storm-force winds offshore and on high ground. With Ma-on departing from Hong Kong and weakening gradually inland, local winds moderated quickly during the day on August 25. The outer rainbands of Ma-on also brought occasional heavy squally showers to Hong Kong that day. More than 50mm of rainfall were recorded over many places.
      
     Affected by an anticyclone aloft, apart from isolated showers, it was generally fine and very hot from August 26 to 28. Under light wind conditions, there were sunny periods and thundery showers triggered by high temperatures over parts of the territory on the last three days of the month.  
      
     Seven tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in August 2022.
      
     Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in August are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for August are tabulated in Table 2.

     Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) Dr Fang Xinghai stated today (September 2) that the CSRC will move forward to include securities of overseas enterprises that have primary listing in Hong Kong and fulfil certain conditions in the eligible scope of Southbound Trading under Stock Connect, study to set up a Renminbi (RMB) securities trading counter under Southbound Trading of Stock Connect, and support the issuance of Mainland government bond futures in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government would like to express its sincere gratitude.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "The measures are significant milestones of the mutual access between the Mainland and Hong Kong financial markets, enriching the investment choices for Mainland investors, attracting more overseas enterprises to list in Hong Kong, and providing risk management tools for Mainland government bond investments in Hong Kong. I am most grateful that the Central People's Government has, further to its announcement of establishing mutual access arrangements between the interest rate swap markets of the two places at the beginning of the new-term Government, demonstrated to investors once again our country's support for Hong Kong in consolidating its status as an international financial centre. The measures, after implementation, will further facilitate Hong Kong to meet the targets in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, support the high-quality opening up and development of the Mainland's financial markets and contribute to the progress of RMB internationalisation, while achieving concerted development of the financial markets in the two places and mutual benefits."
 
     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "The measures will broaden the scope for the future development of Hong Kong's securities market, particularly the internationalisation of listed companies as well as the issuance and trading of RMB securities. They will facilitate Mainland investors to enrich their asset allocation via Southbound Trading of Stock Connect, offer offshore risk management tools for Hong Kong and overseas investors to participate in the Mainland government bond investments, and deepen the development of Hong Kong's offshore RMB market. They can further consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, a risk management centre and a global offshore RMB business hub. I am grateful for the strong support from our country, and will spare no effort to take forward the relevant work."
 
     The HKSAR Government, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) have already commenced discussion with relevant Mainland institutions and will continue the close collaboration with a view to implementing the measures promptly.
 
     Southbound Trading of Stock Connect was launched in 2014. As of August 2022, there were 388 and 545 eligible securities available for trading in Hong Kong dollars by Mainland investors through the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange respectively, which did not cover overseas listed companies and RMB-denominated securities. The 2022-23 Budget announced that a working group formed by the SFC, the HKEX and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority would start making preparations on allowing stocks traded via the Southbound Trading of Stock Connect to be denominated in RMB, and would discuss with the regulatory authorities and relevant organisations in the Mainland. The HKSAR Government will roll out supporting measures to waive the stamp duty on stock transfers paid by market makers in their transactions, so as to increase the liquidity of RMB‑denominated stocks. The HKSAR Government plans to submit relevant legislative amendments to the Legislative Council within this year.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (September 2) released the statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the second quarter of 2022.
 
     In the second quarter of 2022, total port cargo throughput decreased by 5.0% compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 52.3 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo and outward port cargo decreased by 4.9% and 5.2% compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 32.6 million tonnes and 19.7 million tonnes respectively.
 
     For the first half of 2022, total port cargo throughput decreased by 9.1% compared with the first half of 2021 to 94.7 million tonnes. Within this total, inward port cargo and outward port cargo decreased by 9.0% and 9.4% compared with the first half of 2021 to 60.3 million tonnes and 34.4 million tonnes respectively.
 
     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput increased by 11.8% in the second quarter of 2022. Within this total, inward port cargo and outward port cargo increased by 7.0% and 20.7% respectively compared with the preceding quarter. The seasonally adjusted series enables more meaningful shorter-term comparison to be made for discerning possible variations in trends.
 
Port cargo
 
     Within port cargo, seaborne cargo decreased by 9.4% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 34.7 million tonnes, while river cargo increased by 5.2% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 17.6 million tonnes.
 
     Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment decreased by 8.9% and 0.7% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 15.9 million tonnes and 16.7 million tonnes respectively. For outward port cargo, exports (including domestic exports and re-exports) and outward transhipment decreased by 15.7% and 1.7% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 4.4 million tonnes and 15.3 million tonnes respectively.
 
     Within port cargo, seaborne and river cargo decreased by 9.2% and 9.0% in the first half of 2022 compared with the first half of 2021 to 65.8 million tonnes and 28.9 million tonnes respectively.
 
     Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment decreased by 14.1% and 3.1% in the first half of 2022 compared with the first half of 2021 to 30.5 million tonnes and 29.8 million tonnes respectively. For outward port cargo, exports and outward transhipment decreased by 19.5% and 6.1% in the first half of 2022 compared with the first half of 2021 to 7.5 million tonnes and 26.9 million tonnes respectively.
 
     The detailed port cargo statistics are summarised in Table 1.
 
     The main countries/territories of loading of inward port cargo and countries/territories of discharge of outward port cargo are shown in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively.
 
     Comparing the second quarter of 2022 with the second quarter of 2021, double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Vietnam (+17.5%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in the United States of America (-27.2%), Thailand (-24.6%), Malaysia (-17.1%), Taiwan (-14.6%) and Japan (-14.3%). For outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Thailand (+25.4%) and Taiwan (+13.5%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in the United States of America (-24.8%), Japan (-20.6%), Vietnam (-19.7%) and Korea (-18.7%).
 
     Comparing the first half of 2022 with the first half of 2021, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Vietnam (+20.1%) and Korea (+15.5%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in the United States of America (-22.2%), Thailand (-14.4%) and the mainland of China (-10.8%). For outward port cargo, double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Thailand (+13.6%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Vietnam (-23.9%), the United States of America (-20.8%), Japan (-20.3%) and Korea (-16.7%).
 
     The principal commodities of inward port cargo and outward port cargo are shown in Table 4 and Table 5 respectively.
 
     Comparing the second quarter of 2022 with the second quarter of 2021, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo of "coal, coke and briquettes" (-21.4%), "stone, sand and gravel" (-19.8%), "iron and steel" (-16.1%), "petroleum, petroleum products and related materials" (-11.4%) and "artificial resins and plastic materials" (-10.8%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded in the tonnage of "cereals and cereal preparations" (+43.8%), "pulp and waste paper" (+12.9%), "live animals chiefly for food and edible animal products" (+12.2%) and "machinery" (-16.4%).
 
     Comparing the first half of 2022 with the first half of 2021, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo of "coal, coke and briquettes" (-24.5%), "stone, sand and gravel" (-24.2%), "iron and steel" (-19.7%) and "artificial resins and plastic materials" (-12.9%). As for outward port cargo, double-digit changes were recorded in the tonnage of "cereals and cereal preparations" (+19.2%), "live animals chiefly for food and edible animal products" (+10.3%) and "machinery" (-16.5%).
 
Containers
 
     In the second quarter of 2022, the port of Hong Kong handled 4.72 million TEUs of containers, representing an increase of 2.8% compared with the second quarter of 2021. Within this total, laden containers decreased by 1.7% to 3.77 million TEUs, while empty containers increased by 25.8% to 0.95 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward containers increased by 2.8% to 2.08 million TEUs, while outward containers decreased by 6.8% to 1.69 million TEUs.
 
     For the first half of 2022, the port of Hong Kong handled 8.43 million TEUs of containers, representing a decrease of 3.2% compared with the first half of 2021. Within this total, laden containers decreased by 6.0% to 6.77 million TEUs, while empty containers increased by 10.1% to 1.66 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers decreased by 2.5% and 9.8% to 3.70 million TEUs and 3.07 million TEUs respectively.
 
     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput increased by 14.7% in the second quarter of 2022. Within this total, inward and outward laden containers increased by 15.5% and 13.8% respectively.
 
     In the second quarter of 2022, seaborne laden containers decreased by 11.1% compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 2.56 million TEUs, while river laden containers increased by 26.5% to 1.21 million TEUs.
 
     Within inward laden containers, imports increased by 20.2% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 0.65 million TEUs, while inward transhipment decreased by 3.4% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 1.44 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports and outward transhipment decreased by 12.7% and 5.2% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the second quarter of 2021 to 0.35 million TEUs and 1.34 million TEUs respectively.
 
     In the first half of 2022, seaborne laden containers decreased by 11.3% compared with the first half of 2021 to 4.88 million TEUs, while river laden containers increased by 11.1% to 1.89 million TEUs.
 
     Within inward laden containers, imports increased by 8.2% in the first half of 2022 compared with the first half of 2021 to 1.14 million TEUs, while inward transhipment decreased by 6.6% in the first half of 2022 compared with the first half of 2021 to 2.57 million TEUs. For outward laden containers, exports and outward transhipment decreased by 13.9% and 8.6% in the first half of 2022 compared with the first half of 2021 to 0.68 million TEUs and 2.39 million TEUs respectively.
 
     The detailed container statistics are summarised in Table 6.
 
     Port cargo and laden container statistics are compiled from a sample of consignments listed in the cargo manifests supplied by shipping companies and agents to the C&SD.
 
Vessel arrivals
 
     Comparing the second quarter of 2022 with the second quarter of 2021, the number of ocean vessel arrivals increased by 0.5% to 4 284, with the total capacity remaining virtually unchanged at 60.2 million net tons. Meanwhile, the number of river vessel arrivals increased by 16.8% to 14 183, with the total capacity also increasing by 31.8% to 18.0 million net tons.
 
     Comparing the first half of 2022 with the first half of 2021, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 4.4% to 7 760, with the total capacity also decreasing by 4.2% to 113.9 million net tons. Meanwhile, the number of river vessel arrivals increased by 4.7% to 23 410, with the total capacity also increasing by 18.4% to 30.4 million net tons.
 
     The statistics on vessel arrivals in Hong Kong are given in Table 7.
 
     Vessel statistics are compiled by the Marine Department primarily from general declarations submitted by ship masters and authorised shipping agents. Pleasure vessels and fishing vessels plying exclusively within the river trade limits are excluded.
 
Further information
 
     More detailed statistics on port cargo, containers and vessels are published in the report "Hong Kong Shipping Statistics, Second Quarter 2022". Users can download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020008&scode=230).
 
     For enquiries about port cargo and container statistics, please contact the Outward Processing and Shipping Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 2126 or email: shipping@censtatd.gov.hk). For enquiries about vessel statistics, readers may contact the Statistics Section under the Planning, Development and Port Security Branch of the Marine Department (Tel: 2852 3662 or email: st-sec@mardep.gov.hk).

     The Government announced today (September 2) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.

Rapid test

     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 240 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Kwai Tsing District – Wah Lai Estate, Shek Yam East Estate, Shek Yam Estate, Lai Yan Court, Ning Fung Court, St Paul's Village, Lam Tin Resite Village, Lutheran Village, Chung Mei Lo Uk Village, Tsing Yu New Village, Tsing Fai San Tsuen and Yim Tin Kok Resite Village
• Kowloon City District – Oi Man Estate, Canbury Court, Ultima, Greenfield Terrace, Carmel On The Hill, Wing On Court, Chun Man Court, Dragon View, Parc Regal and residential premises around Broadcast Drive and Marconi Road (see Annex)
• Tsuen Wan District – Park Island, 297 Castle Peak Road – Ting Kau, Royal Dragon Villa, Deauville, Ting Kau Villa, Ting Kau Village, Sea Cliff Lodge, Pink Villa, Anton Villa, Aztec Lodge, Flying Dragon Terrace, Riviera Apartment and Golden Villa

     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.

     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.

     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.